FlipStarting at the ball game

Just about everyone knows by now that I am evaluating the new Vulcan FlipStart mini-notebook PC. About as many people who know I need a good flood lamp for shooting video. ;) The only way you can properly evaluate a mobile PC is to take it into the field so that’s what I’m doing right now. I am sitting in the stands at my kid’s baseball game and having a good time with the FlipStart. I can tell you one thing for sure, having embedded EVDO is wonderful! Talk about living the high speed mobile life. I have been checking email using Outlook Web Access, surfing the web, and even blogging. I should offer up some basic impressions of using the FlipStart in a mobile setting so here goes.

It took me a while to figure out the best way to use it. I don’t find it too comfortable to use while standing but holding it in both hands while sitting down works pretty well. Bear in mind I have large hands am just able to reach all keys with my thumbs so those with smaller hands may have to stretch a bit due to the thickness of the device. The keys are nicely spaced and it’s easy to type relatively error free as a result.

I do find the trackpad hard to use with the device in both hands. Since the thumb is coming at the trackpad from an angle the cursor moves in weird ways. Turn your desktop mouse sideways and try to use it normally and you’ll see what I mean. Fortunately the folks at Vulcan also put a trackstick and that works very well in combination with the two large mouse buttons. I think all mobile PCs should have a good trackstick and mouse buttons to get the most use out of the device.

I’ll be giving futher impressions of the FlipStart as time passes but right now I have to get back to the ball game. :)